The electric vehicle took a significant evolutionary step
forward when REO UK launched its REOHM BWD330, a high voltage recuperation
heater, recently. The D330 brings significant efficiency improvements to
the vehicle thermal management systems used in electric vehicles. Its launch
comes at a time when the market for clean energy vehicles continues to expand
amidst supportive legislation and improving infrastructure.

Innovation in electric vehicles charges ahead

The electric vehicle took a significant evolutionary step
forward when REO UK launched its REOHM BWD330, a high voltage recuperation
heater, recently. The D330 brings significant efficiency improvements to
the vehicle thermal management systems used in electric vehicles. Its launch
comes at a time when the market for clean energy vehicles continues to expand
amidst supportive legislation and improving infrastructure.

Forming an integral part of the vehicle thermal
management system, the D330 reduces energy consumption and offers increased
cooling efficiency during emergency braking.

In conventional fuel engines, any waste heat generated is
usually reused to heat the cabin. However, until now electric vehicles have had
to use electrical energy for heating both the cabin and the batteries during
winter. This has the detrimental effect of diminishing battery life, increasing
the running cost and detracting from the potential maximum range. The key
barrier to the adoption of electric vehicles has been battery life and range.

The BWD330 minimises this dependency on the battery by
using the energy generated from the act of braking, which is stored and reused
for heating as and when required. Lower energy consumption means that carbon
emission targets can be met.

"Electric vehicle manufacturers can also realise
significant savings with the BWD330, because 66% less installation space is
required compared to standard units," explained Steve Hughes, managing
director of REO. "We've also reduced volume by 85% and weight by 76%. All
of this results in a unit which weighs less than 10kg with a rating of 420-450V
DC and a maximum braking power rating of 60kW.

"Despite making such drastic improvements, we've
maintained high levels of safety. In the event of drive system failure, the
BWD330 can discharge the DC link, which will dissipate unwanted power
safely."

News of the D330 comes as recent high profile breakthroughs
in the industry pave the way for wider consumer adoption of clean energy
vehicles worldwide. The state of California passed a 'charge ahead' bill in
February, which seeks to combat the currently high levels of pollution by
introducing one million electric vehicles by 2020. Similarly, the Government of
Bhutan signed a deal with Nissan recently, to supply the mountainous country
with electric vehicles as part of its zero emissions targets.

About REO: REO manufactures resistive and inductive wound
components for use with static frequency converter drives in lift and HVAC
applications. The company is becoming increasingly involved in renewable energy
technology, where power quality is of overriding importance. REO has
manufacturing operations in Germany, the US, China and India.